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Chapter 521: Karma Never Fails
Chapter 521: Karma Never Fails
A sudden rain ceremony quelled the people's doubts about Huang Changsun's worthiness as the nation's Qilin.
The people's cheers for Huang Changsun were like the rumble of spring thunder, echoing through the sky and lasting for a long time.
The last time the people were this excited was when the Qin King ascended the throne, opening the granaries and reducing taxes.
The Liang Emperor, seeing his grandson win the public's favor, was filled with satisfaction.
Yu Gong Gong beamed with a wide smile, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."
The Liang Emperor was greatly pleased.
When he first decided to restore the Qilin, he had braced himself for the worst—harsh criticism from the officials and the anger of the people. He never imagined that his grandson would not only win over the officials but also touch the hearts of the common folk.
He turned to Gongsun Yanming, "Imperial Tutor, this is the will of heaven, don't you think?"
Gongsun Yanming bowed, "Your Majesty is absolutely right."
The Liang Emperor's gaze fell on Lu Qi, who stood in the rain, looking lost and drenched by the large raindrops.
He watched as the people, who had once supported him, now devoutly accepted the new Qilin, feeling a deep sense of loneliness.
All the public support he had worked so hard to gain could be so easily taken away.
The rain soaked through his clothes and chilled his heart.
He left the altar with a blank expression.
The people were cheering for the Qilin and the spring rain, and no one noticed his loneliness.
"It's Brother-in-law!"
Gongsun Ziyu tugged at Gongsun Liuying's sleeve.
Gongsun Liuying was completely focused on the altar, where Huang Changsun was being revered by the masses.
She was a Feng girl, destined to marry the most noble man in the world.
If he could pray for rain for the people, he could certainly reclaim her fated position.
"Big Sister! Brother-in-law is leaving, what are you looking at?"
Gongsun Ziyu followed her sister's gaze and saw that she was looking at their mortal enemy. Her face fell, "What rain? He's just putting on a show. I think it's just a coincidence. Father said Brother-in-law is the true Qilin!"
Tan Er folded her arms, "If he's the Qilin, why didn't he get the rain?"
"Th-That's..."
Gongsun Ziyu was speechless, and she grabbed Gongsun Liuying's hand, "Big Sister!"
Gongsun Liuying said calmly, "Since the Emperor has appointed him, he is the true Qilin."
Gongsun Ziyu was shocked, "Big Sister! How can you speak up for the Crown Prince's Mansion?"
Tan Er chimed in, "That's because Miss, you're speaking the truth!"
Gongsun Liuying said, "Tan Er, go with me for a while."
Tan Er bowed, "Yes, Miss!"
Gongsun Ziyu pouted, "Big Sister, where are you going? I want to go too!"
Gongsun Liuying said coolly, "You go back to the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion first."
Gongsun Ziyu asked indignantly, "Why should I go back to the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion? You'd rather take her and not me?"
Gongsun Liuying furrowed her brow, "Do as I say and go back."
Gongsun Ziyu gritted her teeth and glared at Tan Er.
Tan Er nodded smugly.
Having followed Meng Qianqian for so long, Tan Er was well-versed in flattery. She was as obedient as a little rabbit around Gongsun Liuying, good at soothing people, and skilled in martial arts, never causing any trouble.
Moreover, Tan Er, who was unruly in the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion, obeyed Gongsun Liuying without question, which greatly pleased her.
The spring rain grew heavier, showing no signs of letting up. The people danced with joy, unmindful of being drenched like soaked chickens.
The Liang Emperor felt the people's happiness and was also quite satisfied.
However, he couldn't let them stay in the rain for too long, especially with so many women and children.
The Liang Emperor concluded the enthronement ceremony.
The officials and the people left in an orderly manner.
Yu Gong Gong held an umbrella over the Liang Emperor, who was just about to call out to Lu Yuan when he turned around and found his grandson gone.
Looking again, he saw someone holding the Embersteed token, dashing through the rain toward his mother, Yan Girl.
Yu Gong Gong smiled. "Huang Changsun and Yan Girl are a perfect match, truly a heaven-made couple."
The Liang Emperor felt both amused and exasperated. "Brat."
He suddenly remembered Bao Zhuzhu's wish for Yan Xiaojiu to be her mother and couldn't help but glance at Yan Girl again.
Meng Qianqian, still veiled, hid her face, but her demeanor and actions were those of a noblewoman from a distinguished family.
Though she came from humble beginnings, her phoenix destiny made her a suitable match for his grandson.
However, this girl gave him a sense that she was not as simple as she seemed.
If it weren't for her quick thinking, resolving the misunderstanding and attributing the spring rain to his grandson, the Enthronement Ceremony might have taken a different turn.
Meng Qianqian, smiling, conversed with Lu Yuan. Suddenly, she felt two intense gazes from the direction of the altar. She didn't turn around, maintaining her calm and composed demeanor.
The Liang Emperor withdrew his gaze and instructed the palace guards behind him, "Investigate her."
The palace guard responded, "Yes."
After the Liang Emperor left, the civil and military officials braved the rain to congratulate Lu Yuan on his Enthronement as the national protector of the Embersteed, and to congratulate Lu Zhaoyan on raising such an outstanding son, ensuring the continuation of the Great Liang dynasty.
Prince Jin and his group, however, seemed rather isolated.
Prince Qi still couldn't believe it. "How did it start raining? And how did the incense reignite?"
Regarding the extinguished incense, they hadn't tampered with the incense sticks or the censer; instead, Gongsun Yanming had used his inner strength to cause it.
This was why the Liang Emperor found no clues on the sacrificial objects.
Not only was Prince Qi puzzled, but Prince Jin and Prince Rui were also full of questions.
Prince Jin clenched his fists and approached Gongsun Yanming.
"Imperial Tutor, can we speak in private?"
Gongsun Yanming and Prince Jin walked to an empty clearing.
Prince Jin demanded, "Imperial Tutor, didn't you promise to make Qi'er a true Embersteed?"
Gongsun Yanming replied calmly, "Was the blood and hair you gave me genuine?"
Prince Jin's eyes flickered.
Gongsun Yanming's sharp gaze seemed to see through everything. "The Earth Fiend Compass moved because it sensed the true dragon aura in the Prince of the Commandery. Even if he isn't the Embersteed, he can come very close to the Embersteed destiny, making it possible to swap fates with Lu Yuan. But you, Prince Jin, don't have that fortune."
Prince Jin's face paled.
He turned away, hiding his momentary embarrassment, and asked, "What about the rain? It can't really be his prayer, I don't believe it!"
Gongsun Yanming said, "It's just rain."
Prince Jin asked coldly, "If you knew it would rain, why didn't you say so earlier?"
Gongsun Yanming replied without arrogance, "If Your Highness hadn't acted on your own, switching the sacrificial objects with your own son, the one standing on the altar and bringing joy to the people would have been your own son."
Prince Jin was speechless.
He felt something was off but couldn't find a way to argue.
"Your subordinate will take my leave."
Gongsun Yanming gave a faint bow and walked past Prince Jin.
Prince Jin called out, "Imperial Tutor!"
Gongsun Yanming asked, "Does Your Highness have any other instructions?"
Prince Jin opened his mouth. "The fate swap failed, so my destiny remains mine, right?"
Gongsun Yanming nodded: "If it were Lu Lin Yuan, then yes."
Prince Jin cleared his throat: "What about someone else?"
Gongsun Yanming replied: "Hard to say."
"The blood you obtained was pig's blood, which I bought for two copper coins. The hair you got was from a brothel servant."
Prince Jin vomited all over the ground.
After walking a distance, a coldness clouded Gongsun Yanming's eyes.
He slowly clenched his fingers.
From Lu Yuan's actions, it was clear that he had known it would rain today and had deliberately played along, allowing Gongsun Yanming to repeatedly extinguish his incense.
When the heavy rain fell, the blood he spat must have contained wax oil, which quickly ignited the partially extinguished incense core.
It wasn't surprising that Lu Yuan had seen through their plan.
What was surprising was how he knew it would rain?
Was it calculated by Zi Wu?
But why couldn't I calculate it?
"Master, why can't we easily use the Prohibited Art?"
"It will backfire. You are one of my favorite disciples. You must never take the path of no return."
Has the backfire started?
Gongsun Yanming walked expressionlessly through the rain.
Suddenly, he stopped and turned around.
In the heavy rain, someone was staring at him with piercing eyes.
He also looked at Meng Qianqian.
Their eyes met.
Meng Qianqian's gaze did not waver.
Her veil was already drenched by the rain, revealing the contours of her face.
It was a completely unfamiliar face.
But those stubborn and calm eyes were just like the person in his memory.
Gongsun Yanming, it's time to repay the debt you owe to the General's Manor.
But paying with blood is too fair for you.
No rush, we'll settle our accounts slowly.
"Brother Two!"
Prince Ming, panting, ran up to Lu Zhaoyan. "I've taken care of the person. Where is Father Emperor? Has the ceremony started?"
Father Emperor sympathetically looked at him: "The ceremony is already over."
Prince Ming was stunned: "I missed it again?!"
---
Lu Yuan's enthronement went smoothly, and the group returned to the Crown Prince's Mansion in high spirits.
Except for Prince Ming.
He grumbled the whole way.
After getting off the carriage, Lu Zhaoyan immediately went to the side courtyard where they discussed important matters.
Jia Steward held an umbrella for him, almost running out of breath: "Your Highness, please slow down, be careful not to fall!"
Oh dear, his old arthritic leg!
What's wrong with Your Highness, rushing around like this, as if meeting his future father-in-law!
Lu Zhaoyan stopped at the gate of the courtyard, took a deep breath, and said nervously: "Should I change my clothes first?"
Jia Steward was confused: "Change... clothes?"
He looked him over, "Ah, right, your clothes are soaked. I'll have someone prepare hot water for you to bathe and change, so you don't catch a cold."
Lu Zhaoyan realized: "Bathing and changing... you thought of everything! Your monthly pay should be increased. Talk to the accountant later!"
"Ah?"
Jia Steward was even more confused.
Is Your Highness okay?
Such a sudden change, it's a bit scary.
Is Your Highness not angry about offending the young master?
Is Your Highness praising him?
Lu Zhaoyan rushed into the rain.
"Brother Two... Ow!"
Just as Ming Wang opened the door, he was knocked backward.
Lu Zhaoyan hurried into the room: "I need to bathe and change."
"Okay."
Ming Wang had just changed his clothes and asked his brother curiously, "Are you going to... bathe in my room?"
Lu Zhaoyan said calmly: "No, I just wanted to let you know. You can also see it as me showing off."
Ming Wang was puzzled: "Showing off what? Your son?"
Lu Zhaoyan raised his head: "No."
It's his father-in-law.
Haha, short chapter, more to come~
(End of Chapter)
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